Thermostatically controlled inline air bubble super heater for pools, tubs, and spas

ABSTRACT

The water in the average spa is heated to temperatures in the area of about 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Air temperatures are usually much cooler. If blower  100  injects the much cooler ambient air into the spa it will naturally cause the water in the spa to cool off, thus causing the water heater to be in use far more frequently than would be necessary with the use of this invention. Due to the injection of superheated air into the spa the water maintains a more consistent temperature, thereby causing the water heater to use less energy.  
     No additional energy is expended to move air through the heating unit as it is an in line unit, and is installed in the existing blower path. Furthermore the instant invention is designed to be added to existing blower units and therefore replacing the blower or any other component is not necessary.  
     The materials used in the construction of the inline heating unit can be any suitable material which can withstand the temperatures encountered in the interior of the heating unit. The fittings to connect the heating unit between conduits  101  and  105  can also be made from any suitable material such as CPVC fittings, which are designed to withstand high temperatures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] 3838666 Oct., 1974 Smith 122/DIG 4037567 Jul., 1977 Torres 122/421 4175518 Nov., 1979 Reames,Jr 122/421 4342359 Aug., 1982 Baker 165/47 4550772 Nov., 1985 Knoch 165/47 4580621 Apr., 1986 Loverich et al. 165/47 4629117 Dec., 1986 Kasbohm 237/55 4766952 Aug., 1988 Onodera 165/95 4899401 Feb., 1990 Savarese  4/542 5095559 Mar., 1992 Liljegren et al.  4/542 5172754 Dec., 1992 Graber et al. 165/47 5345996 Sep., 1994 Druien 165/47

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to heating equipment for swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. In particular, heating equipment, that utilizes inline air heating technology to accelerate the heating of air bubbles in swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.

[0006] 2. Background Art

[0007] Swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas are used for a variety of recreational and health related activities. Depending on the regions climate, water related activities are usually limited due to adverse weather conditions. The prior art has lengthened access to these activities by providing water heaters, which allow an individual to use these pools, hot tubs, and spas outside of their normal usable season. In undesirable climates, water heaters make year round use possible. Heaters use diverse types of fuel sources such as solar, electric, oil, or gas.

[0008] In hot tubs and spas, which use air bubbles, the injection of ambient air in cold weather, negatively affects comfort due to an individual's direct contact with the air bubbles. Also the cold air bubbles lower the water temperature of the spa or tub. The lower water temperature increases the amount of energy used by the heater to maintain a constant water temperature.

[0009] Prior attempts have failed to provide a cost efficient means of allowing the user to control the comfort level of both the water and air temperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The inline air heating system provided by this invention is the use of an inline heating unit, which superheats the air going to the hot tub or spa, and is controllable via manual controls or automatic thermostat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the placement of the present invention in the blower path.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a diagram of the air heating system of the present invention.

[0013] In order to eliminate confusion, from here on pools, spas, and tubs will be referred to as spas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1 blower 100 provides air pressure, which creates air bubbles in the spa (not shown) air from the blower exhaust passes through conduit 101 to the inline heating units air intake 102.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2 After air passes through air intake 102, it is routed through thermostatically controlled heater core 103. Where the air is superheated then exits the heating unit through air exhaust 104 into spa intake conduit 105.

[0016] The internal air temperature is constantly monitored by thermometer 150, which has a sensor located inside the heater cores case and monitors air temperature, using preset high limit switch 110 to shut down the heater core in the event blower 100 shuts down or is turned off.

[0017] Thermometer 210 monitors air temperature of the air leaving air exhaust conduit 104 on its way to the spa. By use of thermostat 200, an individual can control the temperature of air entering the spa. 

I claim: 1 A method for superheating blower air for a bathing facility such as a spa, tub, or pool, the method including the steps of: Locating an inline primary air heating unit in the blower path after the air exits the blower, heating the air as it passes through the primary air heating unit; then moving the heated air from the output of the primary air-heating unit to the spa, tub, or pool: 2 A method as in claim 1, further including the steps of: Measuring air temperature prior to injection of air into the spa, tub, or pool
 3. A method as in claim 1, further including the steps of: Using a thermometer to measure air temperature prior to injection into the spa, tub, or pool;
 4. A method as in claim 1, further including the steps of: Controlling the heating element with the thermostat so the temperature of the air entering the spa, tub, or pool can be automatically maintained. A system for heating air bubbles with an electric inline heating unit for a spa, tub, or pool, the system comprising: A thermostatically controlled inline heating unit having an air input conduit to provide a path for ambient air from the blower. A heater core to heat the air, and an air output conduit to provide a path for heated air from the heating unit to the spa, tub or pool. 